Tag: country

Two weeks ago, one of my long time dreams came true. I was able to see the Dixie Chicks live. I drove to Atlanta to meet up with my friend Jackie for this much anticipated event. (Much anticipated is a bit of an understatement seeing as we bought this tickets more than a year prior!) All that time in between to day dream, and it kind of didn’t feel like it was really happening. In my pre-teen years (well, and later) my walls were all painted a different color. On the purple wall hung a “Fly” poster that kept it’s spot for years, right above my desk. It was sweltering hot at the amphitheater (like still 91 degrees when the sun went down,) but when the girls took the stage the weather didn’t matter anymore. The Dixie Chicks were on FIRE. Their talent is astounding. I was shocked at the energy. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I didn’t have the chance to see them back in the day, so I can’t compare but if anything I would guess after all these years they came back stronger. The amount of emotion in Natalie’s voice when she belts out those notes, her ability to be composed but still have this jaw dropping touch to a song that will send goosebumps down your arms is stunning. Plus, Emily and Martie’s instrumental abilities is just other worldly. The Chicks played for more than two hours, but I could have just listened to them all night. Even though I will say that it was somewhat of an emotional roller coaster of an experience. Multiple songs brought tears to my eyes- “Travelin’ Soldier” “Top Of the World” “Landslide” and “Easy Silence” (but can you really blame me?) And I have to mention how clever it was for them to kick off the show with “Long Time Gone” and “Long Way Around” (I would say these are two of my favorites, but then I’d probably wind up saying that about all of them.) They also did a tribute to Prince with “Nothing Compares 2U” which was touching and special in its own way. The backdrop was purple with his symbol and it was a sweet moment. The electric energy from the crowd when they played “Goodbye Earl” “Wide Open Spaces” and “Cowboy Take Me Away” was palpable. Plus, “Sin Wagon” made me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. Their passion, tenacity, and unapologetic approach to all of the things that matter to them (social justice, domestic violence, nonsense in politics) makes them so dang endearing and it makes me proud that there are women like them in the industry. Some people think you should be quiet and appease everyone, and just play your songs. But isn’t music a tool to communicate a message, a chance to use your voice? (During “Ready to Run” there were dancing hands and cartoons of people running for office, and past presidents and people of politics.) Of course their boldness is surprising at times, but I applaud them just the same. They came back out and did “Not Ready to Make Nice” in the encore, and it was so striking, so moving, I don’t know if I can articulate the correct words to describe it, but it’s something I’ll always remember. I think they were making a lot of people’s dreams come true that night in that amphitheater. And like I’ve said before, it always amazes me the way lyrics come to mind immediately even to songs you haven’t heard in years, and there’s something lovable in life about that. It’s hard for me to choose a song to share with you on this Throwback Thursday because any of them would be a wonderful choice, but how about “Cowboy Take Me Away”? If you haven’t listened to the Dixie Chicks in a while, give this song a listen and revel in the beauty of their art.

Thanks to Shazaam my insatiable desire to immediately know whatever song is playing on the radio (or during TV commercials, or movie trailers for that matter) is instantly satisfied. I’ve been listening to an “independent” country radio station lately, and a few times a week on my drive home from work I hear them plugging this song that just makes me feel giddy. Dylan Scott’s “My Girl” is such a sweet song, but even more than the heart warming lyrics – that deep voice of his. The second he opens his mouth, it’s rather surprising. I love that gravely sound, and near the end when he switches from singing to talking? Oh my. I’m such a sucker. I know I’ve been heavy on the country music suggestions lately, but hopefully you guys haven’t grown tired of it yet because this song is really worth the listen. “My Girl” is on Dylan Scott’s recently released self-titled debut, and I can’t wait to hear what else is in store for him! The official music video from his YouTube video is plugged above. Don’t just put it on in the background on your computer because the scenery is too beautiful to be missed!

On Friday I was driving over to Panama City to meet up with some friends, and I had the radio on and the second I heard this song I was hooked. (I know, it sounds like I say that a lot…) Kenny Chesney’s latest, featuring Pink, “Setting the World on Fire.” I was already thinking about the way somehow it was already the last weekend in July. Summer is flying by before us, and here I am trying to soak up every minute of the sun drenched days (and the ones with humid storms rolling through.) This song just encompasses that fleeting electric energy of summer and that split moment where you feel invincible. If you haven’t heard it yet – give it a listen!

Up all night and we were feelin’ so good Yeah, we got a little higher than we probably should We were in a hotel singin’ in the hallway lights We were strikin’ the matches right down to the ashes Setting the world on fire, setting the world on fire

Damn, Miranda. That’s the first thing that came to mind following my first listen of Miranda Lambert’s latest song, “Vice.” I saw Shane Mcanally’s Instagram post last night before I’d even heard it (and after I saw the teasers on Facebook). Reading the words just sent a shiver down my spine:

shanemcanally No matter what your taste in music is, you gotta respect when an artist is willing to put their soul out on the table. @joshosbornesongwriter & I were lucky enough to be sitting in the room when @mirandalambert came in with this song on her heart. Everything about this is bold and heartbreaking and honest and even a little hard to listen to….this is the kind of song I set out to write when I came to Nashville. I am so blessed to write with people who take these kind of chances.

Seriously…is that not moving or what? Then you go and listen to the song. Miranda Lambert hasn’t put out any new music in quite some time, and for this to be the first? It’s raw and real, and it cuts deep. It feels so transparent, and edgy, and relatable. It makes my heart sting when I hear it because it’s a sucky place to be, the depth of where that emotion comes from but then I think about just how many of us have probably found ourselves there. That’s the beauty in it – how realistic it is about life. One of the things I appreciate about her as an artist is she never sugar coats anything. Here is some sharp true emotion, in song, laid right out on the table.

Do yourself a favor, and listen now. I’ve got it on repeat over here. If this is a taste of what’s to come, big things are in store.

I know, I know another country song? But I heard Tucker Beathard’s “Rock On” on the radio the other day, and I thought to myself “where has this song been?!” It’s instantly catchy. It’s kind of a break up/miss you/movin’ on anthem, but that southern drawl just pulls you right in. The video’s pretty accurate too, if you’ve broken up with someone anytime in the last handful of years. Of course the ex is gonna seep through the cracks on the internet, and we’ve all got our new lives, with some noticeably absent familiar roles in Instagram posts and Snapchat stories. But all of that aside, despite the whole people move away, move on, and change along the way part this song still manages to make me wanna sing along, and smile. If you haven’t heard it yet, give it a chance! If the rest of Tucker Beathard’s music sounds like this, this probably won’t be the last we hear of him.